These pictures are of the many sad memorials erected by friends & family to honor murder and other violence victims in the Washington DC area. These spontaneous, homemade, heartfelt creations are found on streets throughout the region. They are often the only physical tribute to the many slaying victims.
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Friday, August 26, 2016

From WTOP News: Prince George’s County police arrived around 5 a.m. on August 20, 2016 at a 7-Eleven on the 9700 block of Brandywine Road in Clinton, Maryland, and found old Taiwo Oduwole, 31, of Upper Marlboro, inside with gun shot wounds after an attempted robbery. He was taken to the hospital, where he was pronounced dead. Prince George’s County police released surveillance photos of the suspect Saturday afternoon, showing a man with a black, gray and red backpack and a gray and black coat. Police said they believe the same suspect may have robbed a hotel in the 7900 block of Malcolm Road shortly after the shooting.
This very sad shrine in memory of Mr. Oduwole has been erected at the store where he worked. A vigil in his honor was scheduled on the site on Sunday August 27th.

I pray for peace and justice for him, his family, and the community.

Those excerpts from an article from the Washington Post speak volumes:
"In the short time he worked at the store, regular customers of the 7-Eleven on Brandywine Road in Clinton, Md., were almost always greeted by the quiet, friendly smile of Taiwo Oduwole.
The native of Nigeria was behind the counter “morning, noon and night” as he worked to pay for his master’s degree, said Phyllis Boone, a longtime Clinton resident who often visited the convenience store. “He was the face of the 7-Eleven,” Boone said. “You can’t walk into the store without seeing him.
But Sunday morning, during one of Oduwole’s early shifts, a masked man armed with a gun entered the store and demanded money, police said. The man assaulted Oduwole, who managed to jump over the counter in an attempt to escape. Then the gunman shot Oduwole in the back — twice. “Our suspect raised his gun, pointed it at our victim and shot him in his back one time,” said Capt. Brian Reilly, the head of the homicide unit for Prince George’s County Police. As Oduwole made it out the door, “the suspect then, a second time, raised his gun and shot Mr. Oduwole in the back again. Mr. Oduwole collapsed in the parking lot.” Police released video Monday of a suspect wanted in connection with Oduwole’s slaying. Police hope that the images showing a man wearing a distinct North Face jacket with a backpack attached to it will lead to an arrest in the killing of the recent immigrant from Nigeria. Oduwole, 31, died at a local hospital. The gunman left the convenience store without any money, Reilly said.
“This is an absolutely senseless crime that should have never taken place,” Reilly said of Oduwole’s shooting. “It’s a heartless and cowardly act.” Family gathered at Oduwole’s home in Upper Marlboro on Monday were too grief-stricken to speak at length. “It’s tough to talk about right now,” said a man at the door who identified himself as Oduwole’s brother but did not provide his name. The man described his brother as an intelligent, kindhearted and decent person. “He touched everyone who he comes across,” Oduwole’s brother said. “Everybody misses him.” Keith Turner, an active member of the community and regular customer, was at the store early Monday morning with Boone and other neighbors to remember Oduwole. “He was really nice,” Turner said of Oduwole. “He didn’t have to die over some money.” A police flier showing an image of the suspect sought by police was taped to the front of the store. Turner pointed at the man’s picture and called him “trifling.” “We’ve got to come together, get this guy and make him an example,” Turner said. Boone, who also was at the ­7-Eleven on Monday morning, remembered Oduwole as someone who was respectful and generous. When kids in the neighborhood came into the store and they couldn’t afford a drink or a treat, Oduwole would often take some of his own money and pay for them, Boone said. She called Oduwole’s killing “disgusting.” “This coward has taken away a beautiful person in this community,” said Boone, who has lived in the Clinton area for 25 years. “He had just a wonderful spirit.”

From a DC police report: Detectives from the Metropolitan Police Department’s Homicide Branch are investigating a fatal shooting that occurred in the 1200 block of 18th Place NE, Washington DC, on Sunday, August 21, 2016. At approximately 2:05 am, members of the Fifth District heard the sounds of gunshots. Officers responded to the area and located an adult male, suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. DC Fire & EMS found no signs consistent with life. The victim remained on the scene until being transported to the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner. The decedent has been identified as Dante Miller, 24.

The were two sections to this memorial to Mr. Brooks.
A line written on the memorial:
"...what's done at night will come to light. Amen...
Men & Men. Respect Men"

From WTOP News: An 18-year-old man who was fatally shot early Sunday morning in Suitland, Maryland, has been identified as an up-and-coming rapper. Police found the victim, Douglas Brooks of Suitland, Maryland , known also as “Swipey,” suffering from a gunshot wound just after 1 a.m. on August 21, 2016 in the 3600 block of Parkway Terrace Drive, in Suitland, Maryland, Prince George’s County police said in a news release. Brooks was pronounced dead at the scene. Detectives were still working to identify any suspects or motives. Police do not believe the shooting was a random crime.

There is an extensive article on Mr. Brooks in the Washington Post.A Prince George Police report on the situation can be viewed here.

From a DC police report: Detectives from the Metropolitan Police Department’s Homicide Branch are investigating a fatal shooting that occurred in the 900 block of Eastern Avenue NE, Washington DC, on Sunday, August 7, 2016.
At approximately 1:25 am, members of the Sixth District responded to a call for a shooting. Upon arrival on the scene, members located an adult male suffering from gunshot wounds. DC Fire and EMS personnel responded to the scene and determined that there were no signs consistent with life. The decedent has been identified as Matthew Walker, 26.

This police crime tape marking the site of Mr. Walker's demise was beneath a balcony in a garden apartment complex.

Friday, August 5, 2016

From a DC police report: Detectives from the Metropolitan Police Department’s Homicide Branch are investigating a fatal shooting that occurred in the 2100 block of Flagler Place NW, Washington DC, on Sunday, July 10, 2016. At approximately 4:19 am, members of the Fifth District were patrolling the area when they heard gunshots. Upon arrival on the scene, members located an adult male victim conscious and breathing, and suffering from gunshot wounds. The victim was transported to an area hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced dead. The decedent has been identified as Seth Conrad Rich, 27, of Northwest DC.

Mr. Rich was a staff member at the Democratic National Committee. A large vigil was held in his memory and honor. Additional coverage is in a Washington Post article, and on Fox5 News (the Fox piece has photographs of the vigil, and some items initially left at the scene). Washington Jewish Week and the Forward also have coverage.

From a DC police report: Detectives from the Metropolitan Police Department’s Internal Affairs Bureau responded to a police-involved shooting that occurred on Monday, July 4, 2016, in the 1300 block of 49th Street NE, Washington DC.
At approximately 10:52 pm, Metro Transit Police responded to the location to investigate a large crowd setting off fireworks. Upon arrival, officers observed an individual holding a weapon and identified themselves as police. The suspect fired multiple rounds at the officers before one of the officers discharged his service weapon striking the suspect. The suspect was transported to an area hospital, in critical condition, where he later succumbed to his injuries. The officer involved in this incident was not injured. The decedent has been identified as Sidney Washington Jr. 21, of Southeast, DC.
The suspect’s weapon was recovered on the scene. This case remains under investigation.

From a Prince George's County police report: 4900 block Marlboro Pike Capitol Heights The Homicide Unit is investigating a fatal shooting in Capitol Heights, Maryland on Wednesday, July 20, 2016. The victim is Alonzo Jackson, 68, of Southeast Washington. On July 20th, at about 7:00 am, patrol officers were called to a gas station in the 4900 block of Marlboro Pike. When they arrived, they found Jackson suffering from a gunshot wound. He died at a hospital several hours later. The preliminary investigation reveals Jackson had just filled up his car when the suspect approached and shot him. The suspect then sped off in the victim’s car. The car is a 2015 black Dodge Charger with DC tags DF0113

According to the Washington Post, there was a moving vigil in Mr. Jackson's honor and memory at the site (the article includes some compelling photographs).

Demarko Wheeler, 20, of Washington DC, has been arrested and charged in the murder of Mr. Jackson.From the Post article: In a statement read for her at the Sunday evening vigil by a relative, Jackson’s wife of 10 years, Thetis Nixon-Jackson, addressed his killer. She said a brief conversation with Jackson would have shown that “he was not the type of person you would have killed.”The statement said: “You have no idea the pain you have caused me, my family, friends, and this community. We expect justice to be served. And maybe one day we will forgive you. May God have mercy on your soul.”